From long ago, Japanese women were thought to be more suitable than men
for welcoming guests, so they served tea at the office. But these days,
thanks to the Equal Employment Opportunity Law, women don’t have to do
this.

（女性の柔らかさなどを強調すればよかった）

A： OK. How do Japanese people celebrate American holidays?

You mean holidays such as Thanksgiving Day?

（なんでこんなものが思い浮かんだのか？）

A： Hmm, Halloween or Christmas.

These days more and more people celebrate Halloween. They enjoy Halloween
decorations.

（これも答えになっていない）

And regarding Christmas, we exchange gifts especially in the family.

A： Oh, do you also do that?

Yes, I exchange gifts with my family members.

（自分のことだけでなく世の中のことも言えばよかった）

A： How do you like to spend Christmas?

I like to eat Christmas cake.

（自分のことだけでなく世の中のことも言えばよかった。なんて稚拙な答えだ!）

A： How is Christmas cake different in Japan from the US?

Well, I’m sorry I don’t know about American Christmas cake, but generally
in Japan a lot of strawberries are put on top.

A： Oh, strawberries?

(ゲ!というような顔をされた)

Yes, and they also use a lot of cream for the icing.

A： I see. Hmm, different in the U.S.!

（どう違うのかこちらも聞いてみたかったがやめた）

A： OK. What is takoage?

Takoage is kite-flying, and a kind of game for children. They enjoy flying
the kite on New Year’s Day.
It is made of paper, and has two legs to maintain balance.

（なぜお正月にするのか言えばよかった。冬は風の強い日が多いのに）

A： I see. Where can I buy one?

You can buy one at a toy store.

A： I see. How large is it?

Well, for children, generally, it is one meter long. And they pull it
with a string.

(ここで会社の同僚で全国の凧揚げ大会が大好きな人が思い浮かんでしまった）

As for kites flown at festivals, sometimes they can be five meters long
and big, and many people pull the strings together.